| Michael O’Connor made his college choice before his senior year, adding potential depth to Penn State’s quarterback position in 2014. Photo: IMG Academy (via Flickr) |
If there is one thing that can be said about Bill O’Brien’s recruiting skills, it is that he can attract solid quarterbacks. With Christian Hackenberg highlighting the Penn State Class of 2013 and JUCO-transfer Tyler Ferguson also joining the program, it may have been a slight surprise to see the Nittany Lions already line up a four-star quarterback for the Class of 2014 this weekend. Quarterback Michael O’Connor, from Bradenton, Florida’s IMG Academy, offered his verbal commitment to Penn State to give Penn State a little more depth at a key position.
So, what is Penn State getting in O’Conner? [Lions 247]
Breaking down O’Conner [Fight On State ($)]
Penn State’s quarterback depth is a logical concern for the 2013 season following the transfer of Steven Bench to South Florida. The competition for the starting job this season will be between Hackenberg and Ferguson, but neither have any division one experience of course and this could be a little bit of a work in progress this fall. O’Conner is saying he will be given a chance to compete right away once he arrives (he intends to enroll early ($) to be eligible for spring practices), although right now I would be surprised if he manages to beat out Hackenberg or Ferguson for 2014.
Regardless, Penn State is quickly adding some depth to the position, and the hope is that with proper coaching they may be able to hold on to this stock pile of quarterbacks. Since 2008 Penn State has seen five quarterbacks transfer out of the program (Pat Devlin, Kevin Newsome, Rob Bolden, Paul Jones and Bench).
Around the Big Ten
Big Ten secondaries ranked from top to bottom. Penn State in the top three? [The B1G Time]
Also, running backs. [The B1G Time]
Andre Ware knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. He ranked the top five QBs in the Big Ten. [ESPN.com]
Nebraska named their captains, highlighted by nine-year senior Taylor Martinez. [ESPN.com]
Congratulations to Indiana’s baseball team, who became the first Big Ten team to advance to the College World Series since Michigan did so in 1984. [The B1G Time]
Terrelle Pryor’s 2008 Big Ten championship ring fetched $18,100 in an ebay auction. Wonder how much a real Big Ten championship ring from that season would go for. [FOX Sports]
Discussions about a possible revival of the Illinois-Missouri series are underway. [St. Louis Dispatch]
In Scores of Other Games
Bobby Petrino’s back this season, and that’s a good thing. [Crystal Ball Run]
Sports Illustrated is preparing to drop another groundbreaking investigative report, this time focusing on the NCAA investigation in to the University of Miami. [Miami Herald]
Eddie Vanderdoes will cite family health concerns in an appeal with Notre Dame to keep all four years of his eligibility as he moves to UCLA instead. Just give it to him Notre Dame. [CBSSports.com]
Heat tie Spurs, 1-1, in NBA Finals.
Bruins vs. Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals. Who you got?
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